The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.
There maybe here and there men of iron, to whom wear and tear work no perceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as for ordinary men, the Lord knows, and makes them to know, that they are but dust.
Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between, I thought it might be consolatory to some of my brethren if I gave my thoughts thereon, that younger men might not fancy that some strange thing had happened to them when they became for a season possessed by melancholy; and that sadder men might know that one upon whom the sun has shone right joyously did not always walk in the light.
The lesson of wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble...
cast not away your confidence, for it hath great recompense of reward.
Even if the enemy's foot be on your neck, expect to RISE amid and overthrow him.
Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord,
who forsaketh not His saints.
Live by the day - ay, by the hour. Put no trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone, and lean not on the reeds of human help. Be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world. Never count upon the immutability in man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear of disappointment...
Serve God with all your might while the candle is burning, and then when it goes out for a season, you will have less to regret. Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are. When your own emptiness is painfully forced upon your consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full, except in the Lord. Set small store by present rewards; be grateful for earnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter.
Continue, with double earnestness to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you.
Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith's rare wisdom enables us to MARCH ON in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide.
Between this and heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our covenant Head. In NOTHING let us be turned aside from the path which divine call has urged us to pursue... when we cannot see the face of our God, to trust under the shadow of His wings.
...The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day-dawn. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord's richer benison.
The scouring of the vessel has fitted it for the Master's use.
(Charles Spurgeon, The Minister's Fainting Fits)
The Lord is RIGHTEOUS in all His ways and LOVING toward all He has made. THE LORD IS NEAR to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; HE HEARS THEIR CRY and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
David, Ps 145
There maybe here and there men of iron, to whom wear and tear work no perceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as for ordinary men, the Lord knows, and makes them to know, that they are but dust.
Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between, I thought it might be consolatory to some of my brethren if I gave my thoughts thereon, that younger men might not fancy that some strange thing had happened to them when they became for a season possessed by melancholy; and that sadder men might know that one upon whom the sun has shone right joyously did not always walk in the light.
The lesson of wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble...
cast not away your confidence, for it hath great recompense of reward.
Even if the enemy's foot be on your neck, expect to RISE amid and overthrow him.
Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord,
who forsaketh not His saints.
Live by the day - ay, by the hour. Put no trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone, and lean not on the reeds of human help. Be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world. Never count upon the immutability in man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear of disappointment...
Serve God with all your might while the candle is burning, and then when it goes out for a season, you will have less to regret. Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are. When your own emptiness is painfully forced upon your consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full, except in the Lord. Set small store by present rewards; be grateful for earnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter.
Continue, with double earnestness to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you.
Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith's rare wisdom enables us to MARCH ON in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide.
Between this and heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our covenant Head. In NOTHING let us be turned aside from the path which divine call has urged us to pursue... when we cannot see the face of our God, to trust under the shadow of His wings.
...The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day-dawn. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord's richer benison.
The scouring of the vessel has fitted it for the Master's use.
(Charles Spurgeon, The Minister's Fainting Fits)
The Lord is RIGHTEOUS in all His ways and LOVING toward all He has made. THE LORD IS NEAR to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; HE HEARS THEIR CRY and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
David, Ps 145
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